Samuel B Zaza Jr.

Sam was born December 9, 1939 in Waterbury, CT. He graduated from Kaynor Technical School as a mechanic. It was there that he met the love of his life, Maria [DeLaurentis].

They married in 1959 and Sam left for the US Army overseas the next day to proudly serve his country. After his military service, the couple settled in Oakville, CT to raise their family. Sam wore his American flag pin on the lapel of his shirt every day until his passing.

Sam was owner of Atlantic Gas Station on Main Street and later opened up his own shop, A&Z Garage and Car Wash, both in Oakville.

Sam and Maria moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida in 1987, where they resided for the past 38 years.

He worked several jobs there, but his favorite was at Martin County High School as head custodian until his retirement. He was awarded Employee of the Year in 2011-12 by the faculty and staff, where many at the school became his extended family.

Sam enjoyed hunting small game, fishing and was a Classic Car enthusiast. He enjoyed playing baseball in his younger years, as well as watch the professional baseball and football games. He loved his dogs, Toby, Rocco and Roxxie and feeding them food, when he knew he wasn’t supposed to!

Once moving to Florida, he became very skilled in woodworking, creating very decorative pieces with detailed and tedious scrollwork. He set up a work area in his garage and worked for hours, while listening and singing to his favorite tunes. Sam gifted his creations to family and friends.

He had a gift of making people laugh, with his brash sense of humor and wit and his warm heart.

Sam was pre-deceased by his parents, Antoinette [Grasso] and Samuel B. Zaza, his sister and brother in law, Diana and Bernard Lawlor, and his brother Lewis.

Besides his loving wife Maria of 65 years, he leaves his three daughters, Donna/Marco Perugini, Cynthia and the late Keith Putney, Maria/Pasquale Mancini, and his son Samuel and Michell Fredericks with whom he shared his home.

Sam was also loved by Sharie Johns and his grandchildren, Marco/Jesse Perugini, Giancarlo Perugini and Rachel Landesman, Isabella/Jeffrey Brown, Cameron and Evan Putney, Krystina and Jovanna Mancini, Alivia Mancini and John Kelly, Debreona Zaza and John Santos and his great-grandson Landon Brown. He also leaves behind his two sister in laws, Maureen Zaza and Diane Delaurentis and several nieces and nephews.

The Zaza family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Vitas Hospice and Aqua Home Care for their support and love and care for Sam.